Years ago, working in a dept. store, I was in an elevator with several women and one man who made a joke about rape. I was stunned. This man did not know me and I would bet there were several other women he didn't know in that car. How did he know they had not been raped?
Now we have Tosh claiming he has the freedom of speech to make rape jokes to a large crowd in a comedy club. How does he know no woman in that crowd has been raped? That she has suffered the trauma, violence and sense of helplessness that involves and is trying to get her life back to normal by coming out for some laughter?
Would he (or anyone else) make a joke of kidnap to the Iranian hostages? That might be funny to someone.
But seriously folks, I think men make jokes about rape because they are so uncomfortable and guilty about it. This crime affects all of us. Every woman is a potential victim, every man a potential perpetrator. (And yes, I know men get raped too, but I consider that a different situation). If they can make people laugh about it, it lessens those unpleasant emotions. BUT IT IS STILL NOT FUNNY!!!!!!!!!
Men will just have to get used to that discomfort and work to eliminate the crime, not try to lighten it up.
And frankly, Tosh should find another line of work.
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